THE Tasmanian devil is at the heart of current friction between miners and conservationists in the Tarkine.

But wildlife biologist Nick Mooney and Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council chief Jeremy Kouw believe mining operations – which are free of dogs, have low speed limits and population monitoring – could actually serve as safe havens for the endangered species.

Mining companies from across Tasmania spent two days this week learning more about how the industry and devils could cohabit, at a workshop at Grange Resources’ Savage River mine.

All mining operations could serve as a refuge, the council said, because they have extensive bushland and other undisturbed habitat across their lease.

Savage River, which is an open-cut mine with a life of at least another 20 years, has a small resident population of about one devil every two square kilometres.

Mr Mooney said the small population was natural with devils preferring land near farms where there was more prey than rugged rainforest.

One well-known resident devil, aptly called Savage, was recently rehabilitated to the mine site after being hit by a vehicle. Another was trapped and released near the mining camp this week.

Mr Mooney said it was a misconception devils and miners could not co-exist.

“In these sort of areas there are just a few devils covering a lot of ground and the bush on the leases surrounding the mine workings can provide a refuge,” he said.

“Yes, they have dug a great big hole in the middle of devil habitat but there is a lot of habitat to share.”

He said the “drama” over mining and its impact on species such as the devil was overblown.

The mining industry is required to record all sightings of devils, quolls, eagles and other native species on their leases and report any injuries to animals.

Mr Kouw said working with devil experts had provided a great opportunity for the industry to understand more about the devil such as its life cycle and the important times of the year to minimise any disruption.

“As an industry we are keen to understand the science and minimise the impact on environment we are operating in and demonstrate that in a practical way,” Mr Kouw said.

The North-West of Tasmania, and the Tarkine area in particular, is one of the last strongholds of healthy Tasmanian devils in the State.

The idea that miners and those looking to stop the species becoming extinct could work together was formed at the Tasmanian Minerals Conference in May this year when Save the Tasmanian devil Project Group program manager David Pemberton spoke about the potential for mining sites to provide refuges where devils could thrive alongside mining activity.